Art of obtaining stereoscopic effects



DSG l, 1936- F. LoulsoT 2,063,004

ART OF OBTAINING STEREOSCOPIC EFFECTS Original Filed Dec. 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1,77 v6 77 for lf2 am zo www Dec. l, 1936.

F. Loulsor 2,063,004

ART OF' OBTAINING STEREOSCOPIC EFFECTS Original Filed Dec. 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 44' 44 lwvewiw' f mf L @moi Patented Dec.. l, 1936 ART OF OBTAINING STEBEOSCOPIC EFFECTS Feux Louisot, Hasbrouck Heights, N. J., ussignur to William M. Sheeld, New Yprk, N. Y.

Application December 2o, 1933, serial Nu. '103,258 Renewed August ze, 193e 2 Claims.

This invention relates to the art, of taking and/or projecting stereoscopicV pictures, either still or motion, and has for its general object to produce an effect of depth or distance or Width or 5 third dimension so that ,the images appear more life-like and realistic.

For best results I use a special camera, a spel cial lm or plate, and a. special screen, each of whichis in itself particularly designed to produce a steroscoplc effect. y

Y In the case of motion pictures, the stereoscopic camera is of course a camera adapted for taking motion pictures, and the motion pictures taken with such special camera are preferably projected by meam of a special projector.

The camera, lm or plate, projector, and screen, however, may be used independently of each other. For example, I may use standard lm in my special camera, or I may use a standard screen with my special projector.v Best results, however, are attained when the several special units are used together.

My special stereoscopic camera may be a carnera adapted for taking either still or motion pictures, and adapted for use either withlstandard film or with my special iilm or plate. In either case, such camera is equipped with dual lenses and prisms so coordinated with each other as to produce a larger area of registration of the object photographed than is possible with a single lens camera of ordinary type and hence I am able to obtain an effect of great depth or relief in the picture.

My special steroscopic motion picture projector employs the same arrangement of dual lenses and prisms used in the stereoscopic camera.

My special steroscopic nlm or plate is a laminated film or plate, consisting of a multiplicity of coated strips or plates placed one in front of the other. When this multi-layer ilrn or plate is exposed, the object photographed is registered on each individual lamination thereof, as a plurality of superposed right and left hand images disposed' side by side on the several laminations. After the lrn or plate is developed these show as a complete picture of great depth or relief.

Varying degrees of image registration may he had by varying the intensity or thickness of the sensitive coatings on the respective laminae.

My special steroscopicscreen is also a laminated screen, consisting of a multiplicity of treated transparent panels or plates, placed one in front of the other.

With thelaminatedscreen,the shape, treatment 55 and/ or spacement of the laminae is such that each successive plate or lamina receives a faint registration on the face thereof. The observer does not notice the registration on the front laminae because of its faintness, but looking into the entire series of built-up panels or laminae sees only an image which blends into a single, deep, solid, third dimension stereoscopic picture. $n viewing such picture, moreover, it is not necessary to use the colored filters, mats, or other aids now furnished the observer or built into the ordinary projection machine for obtaining stereoscopic effects.

As illustrative of the principles of my invention, I show in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof which I lhave found highly satisfactory in service.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan section of a stereoscopic camera in accordance with my invention. f i Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective of the special stereoscopic laminated ilm or plate which I prefer to use therewith.

Fig.3 is a diagrammatic plan section of a stereoscopic motion picture projection machine in accordance with my invention and also showing the special steroscopic laminated screen which I prefer to use therewith.

Fig. l is an enlarged fragmentary section through my stereoscopic laminated screen showing an arrangement wherein the individual laminae are spaced apart by translucent or transparent spacers, and

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 show modified arrangemets of laminae and spacers.

Referring rst to Fig. ll, the stereoscopic camera, if a motion picture camera, may make `use of the same intermittent movements as are now employed in standard motion picture cameras.

Such camera, whether used for taking stili or motion pictures, is preferably so' designed, hotrever, as to operate with my special stereoscopic laminated film or plate. When used with such special film or plate, additional space is provided in the camera to accommodate the extra thicness of the laminated hlm or plate. My lami hated iilm or plate, however, is of standard width so that no changes in respect to this phase or? the camera structure are necessary. Where desired of course standard single fdrn or plate may be used in my camera instead oi my special stereoscopic laminated llm or plate. For the purposes of this application, however, I have shown my stereoscopic camera as equipped with my special laminated stereoscopic iilm or plate.

Such multi-layer iilm or strip may have any practicable number of laminae. As here shown there are four laminae.

I, 2, l and 4 in Fig. 1 (and also Fig. 2). Said laminae are arranged one in front oi the other. They occupy the same general position as the ordinary nlm or plate Vrelative to the aperture opening of the usual aperture plate 5 and revolving shutter l of the camera.

I have indicated at 1R and IL the dual lenses employed in my stereoscopic camera. These are arranged in proper focal relation to the object l.

I have also'indicated at OR, 9L and IDR. and IDL the dual prism system used in my special camera.

In using such camera, the image of the object I is focused through the right and left hand lenses and prisms, and registering apertures of plate 6 and shutter 8 onto the successive laminae ot the laminated nlm or-plate.

This results in an exposure having a larger area of object registration than is possible with a single lens camera, since the right hand lens and prism system 1R, SR .and IIIR photographs more of the right hand side of the object, and the left hand lens and prism system 1L, 9L and IIL likewise photographs more of the left hand side of the object than would a single lens system.

The combined effect of the dual lens and prism arrangement is therefore to photograph not only the front but also a larger percentage of both the right and left sides of the object, as compared with only the front and none or little of the sides photographed when a single lens camera is used.

Thus it results with my stereoscopic camera that the photographed object, when projected, blends into one picture which has both right and left hand side registration as well as front registration. This gives the effect of great depth or relief in the projected picture.

The right side of the image 8 is focused through lens IR and the image striking prism QR is renected to prism IIIR where it is again renected by prism IIIR. through registering shutter and aperture plate openings onto the right hand half of the registering surface of the multi-layer nlm or plate. This half of the image is indicated at R.

in Fig. 2.

Similarly, the left side of the image l is focused through lens IL onto prism 9L, thence to prism IIIL, and through the shutter and aperture plate onto the left hand half of the registering surface of the laminated nlm or plate. This half of the image is indicated at L in Fig. 2.

Both the right and left hand halves of the image are thus registered side by side on the nlm or plate on either side of an imaginary median line running longitudinally thereof.

It will be understood of course that when the shutter is opened to expose the nlm or plate, both images R and L are simultaneously photographed on such nlm or plate. Where the camera is equipped for taking motion pictures, and the feed' of the nlm is timed t., the revolution of the shutter, the shutter is thereafter closed while the next succeeding unexposed area or frame" of the laminated nlm is brought into position for exposure when the shutter again opens. and so on, the

several laminae being fed as a unit.

The images R and L are simultaneously photographed through all oi' the laminae of the exposed area of the nlm or plate. 'Ihis results in an eifect of depth of picture when the developed nlm is projected.

'I'he several laminae are themselves of any usual transparent material now commonly used, as celluloid in the case of the nlm'. or glass in the These are designated at case of the plate, and are coated with the usual light-sensitive emulsions used in the art.

The sensitized coatings ot the several laminae may vary in thickness or intensity, however, throughout the several laminations in order to obtain varying degrees of image registration on the nlm or plate. This is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2 wherein the'lamina I is shown as having a 'very thin coating of light-sensitive material, and the succeeding laminae 2, 3 and I as having progressively heavier coatings. From this it results that the intensity of the successive images R and L progressively decrease from front to rear, as likewise diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 2, the images on lamina I being heaviest and those on succeeding laminae progressively decreasing in intensity.

The several laminae may be variously spaced apart and may be fiat, convex or other shape. They may also be roughened and/or colored in part or in whole to vary their transparency or give other unusual effects.

The laminated film or plate is fed, exposed and developed the same as the ordinary single strip. 'I'hey are cemented or fastened together after developing with the images which have been registered thereon matched together to form a composite whole.

To produce positives, the multiple strips I, 2. 3 and 4 'are laid one on the other as they are taken from the camera. The multiple strip negative is laid on the positive strips and printed in the usual manner. i

Wheny used as a motion picturevprojector, the same dual lens and prism arrangement is used as in the camera. This is shown in Fig. 3, the parts appearing in said figure that also appear in Fig. l being designated by the same reference characters used in Fig. 1.

In'addition Fig. 3 shows the usual condensing lens Il, light source I2 and reflector I8 employed in any standard projector. These are arranged in their usual relation to the nlm, picture aperture, and shutter.

T he lightbeams emerging from the picture aperture, however, are intercepted by the dual prism and lens system IiIL, 9L and 1L, and IIR, SR' and 1R so that the right and'left images are projected simultaneously on the screen as one blended image. (See Fig. 3). Y

My special stereoscopic screen is a laminated screen consisting of a plurality oftransparent laminae, here shown as four, arranged one in front of the other, as indicated at Il, Ii, Il, and

I1 in Fig. 3.

As many laminae may be used as needed and these may be of any desired material, shape, or eiect. In practice I use a sunicient number of laminae to block or stop all light rays. or until full registration is obtained.

The several laminae are so shaped, treated or spaced thatveach lamination will receive a very faint registration of each image R and L. These combine as a single blended image when the screen is viewed, the individual registrations on the successive laminations being unnoticeable to the eye of the observer.

The first lamina Il checks or retards somewhat the light rays passing through it. These rays continue on, being progressively retarded by the succeeding laminae II,'II and I1. As the rays pass through each successive lamina, they lose some of their brilliance or penetrating power.`

depending upon the degree of transparency of the laminae themselves. Thus some registration of the images carried by said light rays is left on i each lamination, so that if the several laminations are properly spaced, these will blend into one image of great depth, thickness, or third dimension.

By increasing the distance between the individual laminae the light rays may be caused to spread, thereby causing different sizes of image to register upon different laminations. For example, if the distance between laminations i4 and I be increased a. larger image will register on I 5 than on I4 and a still larger image will register on I6 than on l5, etc. This spreading of the light rays therefore gives an effect of controlled magnification.- The same result can be accomplished by using laminae which have different' degrees of convexlty. Or transparent spacers of varying thickness and shape may be interposed between the several laminae, and such `spacers where used also have the eiIect of causing the laminae to retain their shape and relative positioning.

This is particularly important where the material of the laminae is some thin, exible material as Cellophane.

As indicative of the many possible materials which may be used, I mention in addition to Cellophane, glass, cellulold, acetate, mica or other for the individual laminae.

'give unusual effects.

, they may be colored in whole or in part, as by means of dyes and pigments, or powdered substances such as talc, glass, aluminum, bronze, etc. may be dusted or sprayed on them.

Similarly, they may be given am,Y desired shape, as by rolling or pressing to sheet, panel, rod, or disc form.

V Thus, the laminae or their separators, if separators are used, may have any desired degree of transparency. They may be fully-transparent, semi-transparent, or merely translucent, either in whole or in part or to varying depths.

In Fig. 4, I have shown spacers or separators These spacers are ,designated respectively at I4', I5 and I 5. Preferably although not necessarily, the spacers are of the same material as laminae which they space apart. For example, if the laminae I4, I5, I5 and I1 are of Cellophane, the spacers I4', I5 and I6 are likewise of Cellophane. In a preferred arrangement, the laminae I4, i5, etc. are of creped or crinkled Cellophane, sometimes described as silk-finish, and the spacers I4', l5', etc. are of. clear Cellophane. The silk-nish Cellophane -laminae I4, I5, etc. give the effect of registration and the clear Cellophane spacers I4', I5' etc. prevent undue spreading of the image in passing through the assembly of laminae and spacers. v

Full registration is possible, becawe although the light rays are progressively absorbed by successive laminae they are not absolutely blocked by warp and weft threads, as in the case of a woven fabric screen.'

Figs. 5, 6 and 'l illustrate a few of the many possible arrangements of laminae and spacers. 'I'hese figures also indicate diagrammatically vthe variations in effect resulting from the use of the several dierent arrangements.

In Fig. 5 thelaminae 24, 25, 26 and 21 are shown as corrugated. These are or may be spaced by plane spacers 24', 25' and 26'. As many laminae and spacers may be used as desired. The corrugated form of lamina has the effect of deilecting the light rays towards the center of the screen. Being corrugated along right angled lines, the laminae present flat faces. 'I'hese extend towards the rear of the screen at an angle to the observer and act as reectors, as indicated diagrammatically by the arrows in Fig. 5, so that wherever the observer is seated in the theatre, he sees a deep as Well as a clear, bright picture.

In Fig. 6 I show a variant in which each formed sheet or lamina 34, 35, 36 and 31 is made up of a plurality of refractive elements set edgewise. These are or may be spaced by plane spacers 34', 35' and 35. As many laminae and spacers may be used as desired.

Optically, the action of the edgewise placed laminae is the same as the corrugated form of lamina 24 shown in Fig. 5.

In Fig. '7 I have shown a further variant. This figure combines the corrugated form oi lamina 24 with the edgewise placed form 34. It also introduces a corrugated form 44 wherein the corrugation is wavy rather than angular, as inthe case of the form 24.

These several forms 24, 34, 44 may be arranged in any desired order from front to rear but are preferably arranged in the order shown in Fig. 7. They are or may be spaced apart by plane spacers 44', 45', and as many laminae and spacers may be used as desired.

Although the foregoing arrangements suiliciently illustrate the many variations possible, various other arrangements will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

Thus, according to my invention, I am able to produce stereoscopic eiects without the 'use of right and left hand colored illters, mats, etc. Instead the dual images are combined or blended on the screen in a replica of the single image which was actually photographed.

Various modifications in procedure and apparatus may obviously be resorted to within the spirit and scope of my invention as deiined by the appended claims.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz- 1. A built up stereoscopic projection screen, comprising a plurality of relatively thin laminae of transparent material disposed vertically .on edgeand in face to face parallel relation with each other, each lamina partially retarding the penetration of the projected light rays therethrough whereby from front to rear of the screen successively fainter registrations of the projected picture image are received on the several laminae and the several laminae together coacting to blend the several registrations as a single stereoscopic picture image when the screen is viewed from the front, there being spacers between the several laminae and said spacers being of the same material as the laminae.

2. A screen as claimed in claim 1 wherein the laminae are of silk finish Cellophane and the spacers are of clear Cellophane.

FELIX LOUISOT. 

